Intel confirms H1 '07 next-gen Centrino debut

Santa Rosa to support 802.11n - WiMAX coming separately

Intel has confirmed that 'Kedron', its roadmapped next-generation wireless network adaptor, will support 802.11n, and made public the name and release window of the next incarnation of its Centrino platform: 'Santa Rosa', based on the 'Crestine' chipset, which is due to ship H1 2007.

All these points emerged last month, with Taiwanese notebook maker sources specifically pointing to March 2007. Santa Rosa will incorporate 'Merom', the mobile form of Intel's next-generation architecture. Merom was recently pushed back from a Q3 release to Q4, a move that prompted some observers to forecast the next major Centrino update will not come until 2007. It now looks like they were right.

Indeed, Intel yesterday confirmed roadmap leaks by noting Merom will ship in time for the Christmas 2006 buying season. It will be pin-compatible with current Core Duo processors.

Santa Rosa's wireless capabilities, delivered by Kedron, where not known, however, but the chip giant filled in some details yesterday. It will support 802.11n, the high-speed version of Wi-Fi. There was a chance Intel might incorporate its other favoured wireless technology, WiMAX, in Kedron, but it now looks like it won't.

In H2, Intel will ship a PC Card with 802.16e WiMAX on board. Later on, it will ship 'Ofer', a single-chip Wi-Fi/WiMAX product pitched at laptop manufacturers and possible to be included in post-Santa Rose Centrino platforms. ®